Hi everybody
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
06 S500
Hi everybody
I guess this is where I belong even though I don't own an S. My parents just picked up a 2006 S500 4matic with the AMG package. I am absolutely ecstatic. They are Toyota people, and they're getting rid of a 2004 base model Avalon. I think they're in for somewhat of a shock. It is the first car they have ever owned that I actually cared to research. I've always loved the way Mercedes designed their cars. They have a timeless design and they really never look out of date. When you look back through the history of MB its very hard to find an ugly car. I am completely new to Mercedes, but I'm not new to European cars. I've had a Saab and two VW's. I've done some minor things with the VW's, but I left the Saab alone. I don't expect they will want to modify anything, so I expect to use this site as a diagnostic tool more than anything. I hope I won't have to use it much, but as I said, I'm used to German cars. Always excellent to drive, but kind of a pain, physically and financially, to work on.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Woodland Hills, CA
2004 White S430
I guess this is where I belong even though I don't own an S. My parents just picked up a 2006 S500 4matic with the AMG package. I am absolutely ecstatic. They are Toyota people, and they're getting rid of a 2004 base model Avalon. I think they're in for somewhat of a shock. It is the first car they have ever owned that I actually cared to research. I've always loved the way Mercedes designed their cars. They have a timeless design and they really never look out of date. When you look back through the history of MB its very hard to find an ugly car. I am completely new to Mercedes, but I'm not new to European cars. I've had a Saab and two VW's. I've done some minor things with the VW's, but I left the Saab alone. I don't expect they will want to modify anything, so I expect to use this site as a diagnostic tool more than anything. I hope I won't have to use it much, but as I said, I'm used to German cars. Always excellent to drive, but kind of a pain, physically and financially, to work on.
Welcome!
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 2
From: Alabama gulf coast, formerly Charlottesville, Virginia
2004 W220 (S430), 2001 R129 (SL500 Sport)
Welcome, Tucker. The best advice I can offer is get your folks (and you too) to read the Owner's Manual (all 500 pages of it) and the Comand Manual (about 300 pages, if I remember). If you don't have the manuals, register the car at MBUSA.com and you can download the manuals. I have my manuals, but I find it easier to look for information on-line at the MBUSA site. These cars are absolutely everything they promise to be, but as you noted, they are expensive to repair. They aren't really DIY vehicles unless you're an experienced mechanic and have access to Star diagnostic equipment. I'm a pretty fair shade-tree mechanic, but I leave my W220 to the dealer or my well-equipped indie's shop. Your folks will love the car, and so will you when they let you drive it.
